involves the imposing of rules by researcher to decrease the possibility of error

extraneous variables

items that can interfere with obtaining a clear understanding of the relationships among the study variable

sampling

process of selecting subjects who are representative of the population being studied

setting

location in which a study is conducted

natural/field setting

uncontrolled, real-life situation or environment

partially controlled setting

environment that the researcher has manipulated or modified in some way

highly controlled setting

artificially constructed environment developed for the sole purpose of conducting research

process

includes a purpose, series of action, and a goal

problem-solving process

systematic identification of a problem, determination of goals related to the problem, identification of possible approaches to achieve said goals, implementation of selected approaches, and evaluation of goal achievement

nursing process

subset of the problem-solving process

quantitative research process

conceptualizing a research project, planning and implementing that project, and communicating the findings

research problem

area of concern in which there is a gap in the knowledge needed for nursing practice

research purpose

generated from the problem and identifies specific goals of the study

literature review

generates a picture of what is known and not known about a particular problem and to document why a study needs to be conducted

framework

abstract, theoretical basis for a study that enables the researcher to link the findings to nursing's body of knowledge

theory

consists of an integrated set of defined concepts and relational statements that present a view of phenomenon and can be used to describe, explain, predict, or control the phenomenon

variables

concepts that are measured, manipulated, or controlled in a study

conceptual definition

provides a variable or concept with theoretical meaning

operational definition

developed so that the variable can be measured or manipulated in a study

assumptions

statements that are taken for granted or are considered true, even if they haven't been scientifically tested

limitations

restrictions in a study that may decrease the credibility and generalization of the findings

generalization

extension of the implications of the research findings from the sample studied to a larger population

theoretical limitations

restrict the abstract generalization of the findings and are reflected in the study framework

methodological limitations

can limit the credibility of the findings and restrict the population to which the findings can be generalized

design

blueprint for the conduct of a study that maximizes control

pilot study

smaller version of a proposed study

population

all elements that meet certain criteria for inclusion in a study

sample

subset of the population that is selected for a particular study

sampling

defines the process of selecting a group of people, events, behaviors, or other elements

measurement

process of assigning numbers to objects

data collection

precise, systematic gathering of relevant info

data analysis

reduces, organizes, and gives meaning to the data

interpretation of research outcomes

involves examining the results from data analysis, exploring the significance of the findings, forming conclusions, generalizing the findings, considering the implications for nursing, and suggesting further studies

research report

summarizes the major elements of a study and identifies the contribution of that study to nursing knowledge